Chapter 135: with translation of chapter title

Zixia stared for a while at the unharmed Liu Liyan, her brain short‑circuiting: "Master, you, you're alright?"

"You, you hope something happens to me?" Liu Liyan lifted her eyes.

"No, not at all, your subordinate dare not!"

"What I mean is, as long as you're fine, the disciples of the Profound Heaven Sect are all dazed, and Su Chen will be back at the tavern any moment—quickly tidy up and come with us; we'll get you out right now."

"I don't know what method those people from the Po Jun Hall used, grinding Soul‑Scattering Pill into powder, mixing it into the spirit wine—colorless and tasteless—and finding you, Master, before us…"

Liu Liyan took up the conversation: "It was me who did it."

Zixia's mind went blank instantly: "?"

The subordinates: "?"

"What, what does it mean, the master herself did it?"

"No, isn't the master supposed to be suffering utter humiliation, unable to resist?"

Beside her, Qingxia's mouth twitched; inside she felt a little relieved that the master had noticed early—if it had been later, things could have slipped beyond their control.

Qingxia said: "You useless bunch of trash!"

"If it weren't for the master's powerful soul sense, detecting the anomaly early, taking out a Soul‑Scattering Pill, grinding it to powder, and personally sprinkling it into the spirit wine, then carrying jug after jug to offer a toast—since they saw how much Su Chen valued the master, they didn't dare refuse her face, so they just drank it all down."

"With just your lot, you probably wouldn't even make it into the tavern before being blasted to ashes by the heavenly thunder drawn by the thunder‑fire talisman."

"And you still think bewitching incense works? Do you really believe the Profound Heaven Sect's disciples have no defenses? Your concealment technique is still inadequate—I sensed your presence the moment you stepped into the tavern."

All the way to Xuan City.

How much Su Chen cared for Liu Liyan was plain to see for Heibao and the cultivators of Yunhai City.

After having Lin Jianran, that fickle, insatiable woman, Heibao and the others were extremely pleased with Liu Liyan, showing great respect and approval, since everyone could see her conduct on the journey.

All along, Heibao and the others braced for her meridians to be damaged, expecting some trouble, yet they never imagined that Liu Liyan's feminine nature would be astonishingly tenacious—she held on all the way to Xuan City, her complexion even rosy.

With such tenacity, a lovely and obedient future mistress, offering them a toast—could they possibly refuse her face?

Moreover, the spirit wine is of superb quality—who would suspect she'd tamper with it?

Of course not.

Everyone rushed forward, vying to toast Liu Liyan; after drinking they collapsed, heads bowed, yet still wore satisfied smiles.

"Master, you're truly too strong."

After hearing Qingxia's account.

All the subordinates felt heart‑sore, their eyes reddening.

Especially Zixia, who imagined countless possible scenarios, spoke with a tearful, angry voice: "Master, I originally thought you'd had your cultivation sealed and been bound by the Demon‑Binding Rope, locked beside Su Chen, suffering endless injustice—I never imagined…"

"I never imagined you would silently endure such great injustice."

"For today, to earn the trust of all the Profound Heaven Sect disciples, to one day escape the Su family's clutches, you actually poured out so much in secret? Even though you loathe men, you still went along with Su Chen, feigning compliance and throwing yourself into his arms."

"You even forced yourself to stomach the disgusting forced feeding by the Young Sect Master Su, all just to wait for this once‑in‑a‑lifetime escape chance."

"Master, you have suffered injustice."

"Master, we have wronged you."

More than ten of the subordinates present knelt, tears in their eyes.

What they said was moving, heart‑wrenching, sincere and heartfelt.

Qingxia slightly opened her mouth, then swallowed the words she had almost spoken, leaving only a look of contempt for everyone.

What kind of look do these people have, and from what angle could they see that Liu Liyan was smiling through tears?

Qingxia simply couldn't comprehend—how could that be called forced? It's obvious she can't wait to be inseparable, her heart and eyes filled only with the reflection of the Young Sect Master Su.

"I'm not wronged." Liu Liyan lightly lifted the corner of her beautiful eyes, speaking in a light tone.

"No, Master, don't do this to yourself—if you have any grievance, never keep it bottled up."

"Now that we're here, you needn't wrong yourself any longer, nor strain your self‑esteem—we'll get you out of here right now, come on, hurry with us."

Liu Liyan gently furrowed her lovely brows, staring straight at Zixia: "I've already knocked them all out; having guessed you'd come back today to look for me, to be able to stay beside A‑Chen is my utmost wish."

"Since you all now know my and Qingxia's situation, return to the hall."

"I'm fine here."

Having said that,

Liu Liyan lightly touched the yin‑yang fish bracelet on her wrist, took it off and placed it in her palm; the yin‑yang fish inlaid on the bracelet shone brilliantly in the candlelight.

Hearing Liu Liyan's words, which struck like thunderbolts, Zixia and the others' expressions froze instantly: "You said, you're calling… the Young Sect Master Su what? A‑Chen? Master, you, you…"

"What's going on with Guardian Qingxia? How exactly are you protecting the master?"

"Could it be that the master has been struck with a Soul‑Devouring Curse by the Profound Heaven Sect?"

"This is utterly unlike the Liu Liyan they know."

Qingxia felt a deep, silent laugh—this incredulous emotion was no longer hers alone to bear.

She explained with an indifferent expression: "The master has secretly loved the Young Sect Master Su for years; now her wish has finally come true."

"She understands your loyalty; now, while the Young Sect Master Su hasn't returned yet, hurry up and slip away."

"The talisman‑craftsman's thunder‑fire talisman isn't something you can withstand."

Dozens of eyes stared fixedly at Liu Liyan; when she heard Su Chen's name, the tenderness in her eyes—soft and inseparable—was evident, even her whole face glowing with happiness as she poked her own cheeks.

This gesture that almost melts the heart…

The spring light spreading in her gaze…

And the bracelet on her wrist inlaid with black‑and‑white yin‑yang fish.

The master, in front of them, had already touched it more than seven times, each time revealing an expression that words could not convey—that it was a gift from someone.

Hidden within was a hint of pride and deliberate display.

Just these details alone made it hard for them to doubt Qingxia's words.

Zixia and the others appeared calm on the surface, but inside their hearts had already been stirred up by huge waves as they stood up; under Qingxia's urging gaze, they quickly prepared to withdraw.

However, just then,

A strange aura rose inside the tavern.

「Boom—boom—boom…」

「Young Master Su, is this the inn where you're staying? 」

「Although it's small, dirty, and old, you can rest assured; although Ling'er has been pampered since childhood and her body is a bit frail, for you she doesn't mind these hardships. 」

「Where are the disciples of your Tianxuan Dao Sect? Why haven't I seen them come out to greet me? 」